I saw the possibilities of a trading company which handles many sectors and trade flows and the possibilities this would offer me

I had always vaguely thought I'd like do do a job related with overseas and I was especially interested in the business of a general trading company which is involved with countries all over the world without owning goods. A trading company handles many sectors ranging from apparel to energy and is involved in trade flows at every stage from upstream to downstream and I felt there was huge potential for me to be able to challenge myself. I chose ITOCHU our of numerous trading companies because the employees I encountered were all full of energy. Also at the recruitment interview, they were interested not only in the information written on my entry sheet and resume but also in me as an individual and they listened to what I had to say. I decided to join ITOCHU because the interview itself was fun and I genuinely felt I wanted to work with these people and I also thought that, given ITOCHU has comparatively few employees, I might be given some work responsibility despite being young.

Never forget to strike a balance between a groupwide perspective and an on-site perspective

After joining ITOCHU, I was assigned to the Energy & Chemicals Company, where I was engaged, for five years, in the trading of LP gas between three countries. Then, in 2019, I took advantage of the "UTR program*," which can be described as an intern program allowing sales staff to acquire experience at general headquarters, and moved to the Integrated Global Risk Management Division. This fiscal year (as of December 2020), which is my second year on the UTR program, I am in charge of reviewing the existing investments of each Division Company and managing the internal controls of business companies in the Business Management Office. Since my ideas and judgments -authorized by my boss- have a direct bearing on the overall business investment portfolio, I go about my day-to-day business believing that this is work which impacts the entire ITOCHU Group. Precisely because I have a job with lots of responsibility, I am careful not to take on too much work all by myself.The important thing is to balance a groupwide perspective and an on-site perspective and to propose the best option for the company. Also to avoid mixing up when to use the accelerator pedal and when to use the brake, I believe I have a responsibility to listen to the opinions of those around me and sometimes ask for help.

*UTR（U-Turn Rotation）program
Program whereby employees move to and work for a different organization for a predetermined UTR period, whilst still remaining registered with their original organization, in order to develop career and gain insights by experiencing other work.

I want to accurately understand needs and pursue business which has a positive impact on society

Since joining the company, I have receive lots of guidance from my superiors and my boss and gained a great deal of experience. I believe that this is not simply because I have been lucky with my boss but also because ITOCHU has a culture which encourages free and open communication regardless of seniority and encourages individuals to make independent-minded comments. As I become more senior and work alongside employees who are more junior than me, I would like to support more junior members in the way that I have been supported by my superiors and at the same time I want to be a driving force, responding flexibly to the changing times and pursuing business which will benefit not only ITOCHU but also our business partners and society.